This is my third time in Taiyung, a major city in the middle of the Shanxi province. Somewhat like Pittsburgh, the city is the economic heart of eastern China's coal country. Not surprisingly the area is also one of the nation's hotbed for wrestling.
Just down the road from Taiyung is Xhinzhou, a much more modestly sized city of 1-2 million where I've been on a few occasions to cover traditional wrestling. That city, maybe best equitable to Easton, is the pinpoint center of wrestling in the region, and the nation. There are large metal statues of wrestlers outside department stores and entire buildings dedicated to the education and practice of very traditional forms of wrestling, known broadly as shuijiao.
I find the parallels fascinating. The pride a region takes in their sport, no matter it's level of national or international importance. Wrestling is important here because, like Pittsburgh or Iowa, it's part of a shared past -- the backdrop to the ever-shifting plotlines within our daily lives. As a visitor there is comfort here because I can recognize in our hosts the same determination and passion for the sport we see at home.
Wrestling is everywhere and yet in each place it's both deeply personal but relatable. Like a dance that's traveled the globe, wrestling is always open to local interpretation and values, but no matter how different the steps may seem at first the basics are always the same.
To your questions …
Q: I just saw that Iowa heavyweight Sam Stoll was injured in what's being called an accidental shooting, being shot in the knee. The information is very limited. Can you shed any light on what's going on?
-- Jeremy T.
Foley: Oy. Stoll got shot in the leg at 4 a.m. on a Sunday and according to the police it was not by his own hand. I knew a coach who loved to say that nothing good ever happens after 2 a.m., and though I disagreed with him at the time, after reading this story I've grown into full agreement.
Wishing Stoll a speedy recovery.
Daton Fix and Thomas Gilman had a staredown before meeting at Final X (Photo/Tony Rotundo, WrestlersAreWarriors.com)Q: What do you make a Final X emulating the UFC with regard to weigh-ins, staredowns, interviews, etc. Will this serve to increase interest?
-- Robert G.
Foley: Yes. There is always the idea that an interaction of any sort prior to the actual match will cause discussion and prompt an increase in viewership. The staredown is a touch off-putting for me, but I can see how that might serve to build some drama.
The interesting follow-up to this question is: Where does promotion go from here? I think USA Wrestling and FloWrestling have so far done a wonderful job of promoting the events, but I too wonder what would work better than the UFC model?
Certainly, getting the fans into a discussion about who is better is vital, but maybe we should look at this through the lens of fan participation. Why don't we do more to involve fans in every event? Lacrosse, soccer and rugby almost always have fan experiences before, during and after the events. Would something attached to the event, like say a concert or takedown tournament with simple rules possibly generate some more interest?
Who knows, but I do see that we are on the right track with recent events. I think that what was borrowed from UFC and MMA was mostly productive and certainly generated adequate buzz and ticket sales.
Whitney Conder defeated Victoria Anthony to win the U.S. Open (Photo/Tony Rotundo, WrestlersAreWarriors.com)Q: It seems like Whitney Conder is overlooked. I have seen so many people picking Victoria Anthony to beat her Saturday at Final X. Conder has not only had a strong year, but handled Anthony at the U.S. Open. Am I crazy to think Conder wins in two?
-- Mike C.
Foley: Having won their last matchup, Whitney Conder will come into Final X as the modest favorite. I agree that it's easy to overlook Conder, but with the 2-kilogram increase in weights she has a noticeable size advantage. The fact that she also has to cut a little less weight has to be a compounding positive impact on her performance, too,
Anthony is always a danger to score from an inside trip or arm spin, but those are techniques that are less effective the more you compete and train with an opponent. To win, Anthony will need to utilize solid leg attacks and limit her tendency to give up points in bunches.
Worldwide, 50 kilograms is one of the most stacked with talent. Whoever comes out will need to train smart for the next several months and take a few international trips to familiarize themselves with the younger 50-kilogram crowd.
MULTIMEDIA HALFTIME
Inside look at the first-ever women's wrestling development camp that happened this March in Japan
Highlight film for the China Open Training Camp
Q: Thoughts on Little Rock's coaching hire of Neil Erisman? Now that the hire has been made, what other big names were you hearing as candidates?
-- Mike C.
Foley: The Little Rock program is very intriguing. Its development, along with that of Presbyterian, will provide test case material for the expansion of wrestling in the South, and the viability of women's wrestling at the NCAA level.
There were a few top assistants pondering the position, but it feels weird for me to point out who didn't get the job.
Q: With the new two-day weigh-in format for UWW, do the wrestlers that got a bye to the Greco World Team Trials have to weigh in on both days even though they aren't wrestling on the first day?
-- Jeff S.
Foley: Yes, wrestlers who are sitting out into the finals are required to weigh in on both days of the competition. The same was done for freestyle.
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